New European Industrial Policy

The years since the global financial crisis have seen something of a renaissance in the manufacturing industry. The United States has launched its Advanced Manufacturing Partnership, and China owes much of its spectacular economic boom in the last decades to its being the 'world's factory'. Is there room for the EU in this landscape? This timely new book explores Europe’s role in this evolving environment. It argues that on the one hand, in terms of sheer numbers, the role of the manufacturing industry in the EU is on a par with other major global economies. However, the book also states that Europe falls short of its global competitors (the USA in particular) in terms of its involvement in the most innovative manufacturing sectors. The volume therefore argues that this creates the opportunity for a new European industrial policy. Exploring the development of current EU policy, the book puts forward suggestions as to how the EU can improve in terms of the competitiveness of its technology policy. Placing the EU’s position in the context of the industrial structures of the USA, Japan and the BRICs, the book blends theoretical models and practical examples in order to offer a the state of the art look at the current and future direction of Europe’s industrial policy. This book will be of relevance to all those with an interest in European economics, industrial economics, public policy, European politics and European studies.

"I think the book by Franco Mosconi can contribute to raise the awareness of the urgency of such line of policy. It gathers all the most important documents and position papers by the EU and other sources dealing with the issue; it offers a relevant statistical background in support of the arguments developed and, above all, it makes a good reading, clear and complete, for anyone who needs or wants to be acquainted with the matter."Professor Vera Zamagni, University of Bologna and Johns Hopkins University Bologna Center"This book provides a thorough overview of the European Union’s industrial and technology policies. Based on a empirical approach with relevant examples and figures, the author analyzes how European industrial champions have emerged. It also outlines the various tools that have been developed by the European authorities with the aim of fostering competitiveness and innovation capacities. A timely and essential book on a strategic issues concerning the future of Europe."Jean-Christophe Defraigne, Professor of Economics, Institute for European Studies & Louvain School of Management, UCLouvain Saint-Louis Bruxelles"The New European Industrial Policy is a readily accessible, clear and compelling argument about the connections between EU policy, state responses, and the manufacturing industries. As Franco Mosconi explains, governmental support and policies (both at EU- and state-level) matter in shaping the productive capacities of states. In particular, the book provides an excellent explanation for the rise of European Champions in the Single Market, as well as for the resilience of SMEs."Hiroshi Nakazato, Associate Professor of the Practice in International Studies and Associate Director of the International Studies Program, Boston College"At a time when industrial policy is once again a focus of policy agendas globally, this book comparatively analyses the situation in Europe from both theoretical and practical angles. One of the foremost experts in the field, Franco Mosconi, puts European industrial policy in perspective vis-à-vis competition from the USA and East Asia."Murat Yülek, Rector, OSTIM Technical University, Ankara

Franco Mosconi is Full Professor of Industrial Economics at the University of Parma, where since 2003 he has held the 'Jean Monnet Chair'.